Journal box lid



July 4, 1939. o. c. DURYEA JOURNAL BOX LID Filed July 22, 1956 Patented July 4, 1939 2,164,644

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE JOURNAL BOX LID Otho C. Duryea, Waterbury, Conn.

Application July 22, 1936, Serial No. 91,821

13 Claims. (Cl. 308-47) This invention relates to improvements in jourtured transversely to receive a hinge or pivot pin nal box lids and it consists of the matters hereas will later appear. The front and the top inafter described and more particularly pointed of said log are formed as cam surfaces 6a and out in the appended claims. 52) respectively.

, One of the objects of the present invention 1 indicates a lid for closing the open front 5 is to provide a lid structure for journal boxes of the box. Preferably, the lid is of sheet steel. which maybe readily assembled and disassembled It is formed at the top end with a pair of laterwithout the aid of special tools, by a lone opally spaced tubular ears 88. Said ears coact erator. with the apertured lug 6 to receive a hinge pin ll) A further object of the invention is to pro- 9 about which the lid is swung from a closed posi- 10 vide a lid structure of this kind including novel tion with respect to the front of the box, to an means for energizing the spring that holds the open position and vice versa. In said pin, longilid in its closed position against the open front tudinally spaced grooves Ill-l0 are formed. The of the box. lid 1 is provided at that end opposite its ears 16 Another object of the invention is to provide with a lip ll, that projects beyond the bottom I a journal box lid structure including an ener- Wall of the box to provide a finger hold for use gizing means, which in one operative position in opening the lid. with respect to the lid, locks the hinge pin there- !2 indicates, as a whole, a spring for holding for against displacement and which in another the lid in either its open or closed position. As

20 operative position with respect to the lid, perherein shown, said spring is similar to the letter 20 mits removal of the pin for a disassembly of the W in shape. It comprises laterally spaced and parts. substantially parallel pairs of legs, each compris- Again, it is an object of the invention to proing inner and outer leg members 13 and I4 revide a lid structure which consists of but a relaspectively. The inner leg members of both pairs 5 tively few parts whereby the same may be proare connected together at the top ends by a cenduced at a relatively low cost. tral cross member [5 upon which is mounted a The above mentioned objects of the invention, roller l6 for rolling engagement upon the lug as well as others, together with the advantages surfaces 6a and 62) respectively. The bottom ends thereof, will more fully appear as the specificaof the leg members l3 and M respectively of each tion proceeds. pair are connected by means of cross members 30 In the drawing: l'll'i. The top end of each outer member M Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a journal is bent rearwardly as an arm l8 to extend bebox lid structure embodying the preferred form neath the hinge pin at each end of the lug 6 and of the invention, with parts broken away better each arm terminates in a lateral extension [9,

as to show the construction thereof; one associated with and disposed in the plane of Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view each groove ill in the pin 9. through the lid structure and part of the asso- The bottom cross members I? of the spring ciated box as taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, engage in a recess 20 formed therefor in the the lever-like hood associated with the lid being midportion of the lid .and a clip 2! is secured to 40 shown in its open position, whereby the hinge the lid in any suitable manner to confine said 40 pin of the structure may be inserted in place or cross members in the recess 20. removed; To energize the spring for its intended purpose, Fig. 3 is another longitudinal vertical sectional I provide a lever-like hood member 22 made of View through the lid structure and part of the pressed sheet metal. Said hood includes a front associated box as taken on the line 33 of Fig. wall 23, an angularly disposed top wall 24 and 1, and shows the hood in a closed position with side Walls. 2525 that are spaced apart a disrespect to the lid; and tance substantially equalling the distance be- Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view through the tween the grooves Eli-l0 in the pin 9. The side hinge of the lid as taken on the line 4-4 of walls 25 of the hood, near the wall 24 are formed Fig. 3. as ears 26, each having an opening 21 therein Referring now in detail to the accompanying of a diameter receiving the pin 9. Each ear has drawing, 5 indicates the journal box as a whole its edge formed as a cam surface 28 best shown which is open at the front and is provided on the in Fig. 3. That end of said surface which starts mid portion of its top wall near said front with near the wall 24 is formed as a recess 29 which an upstanding hinge lug 6. Said lug is aperis radially spaced closer to the aXls of the pin 9 than a second recess 3!] in said surface, which is spaced about 60 from the first mentioned recess.

The cam surfaces 28 and associated recesses are so spaced apart as to operatively engage the spring end extensions l9-l9, and the hood as a whole, is so formed and is of such size as to completely enclose the spring l2 when said hood is in a closed position against the lid. Also, that portion of the hood, associated with the wall 24, overhangs the lug 6 and associated parts.

Assume that the spring l2 has been secured to the lid l by means of the clip 2 i. To assemble the parts, the lid is arranged with its ears 8 at opposite ends of the lug 6 in line with the aperture therein and with the bent arms l8 of the spring positioned below the plane of the pin aperture in the lug 6. The hood is then disposed in an open position with respect to the lid, so that the ears 23 of the hood are arranged at the inner end of each lid ear 8 and with the recesses 29 of the cam surfaces 28 engaged with the spring end extensions l9. This position of the parts is shown in Fig. 2. A slight inward and downward pressure on the hood at this time will flex the spring arms l8 downwardly and inwardly so as to line the ear openings 21-21 with the lid ears 8 and with the aperture in the lug 6. At this time, a pin 9 is inserted into the outer end of one of the ears 8 of the lid, through the ad jacent hood ear opening 2'! and lug 6 and then through the other lid cars so that the ends of the pin are about flush with the outer ends of the lid ears. This lines up the grooves ID in the pin 5 with the openings 21 in the hood ears 26. The inward and downward pressure on the hood may now be released.

It is to be noted that in effect, the hood operates as a bell crank-like lever of the first class in that it has a relatively long power arm on one side of the axis of the pin and a relatively shorter load arm on the other side of said axis, constituted by the ears 26.

When the lever-like hood is swung downwardly into the closed position with respect to the lid, the cam surfaces 28 increasing in diameter as they do from the recess 29 to the recess 38, operate to push the spring arms 58 and ends l9 downwardly and away from the axis of the pin 9 and energizes the spring as a whole. The parts are so proportioned that when the recesses 3il-3il reach the spring ends is, a finger 3| on the free end of the hood will engage in a recess 32 provided therefor in the lid 1 below the recess 20 that receives the cross members ll of the spring. When the hood is in its closed position against the lid, it is apparent that the spring being energized will tend to swing the hood about the finger 3 as an axis and this will cause the ear openings 2'? to move oifcenter with respect to the pin 9. In this position of the parts, as shown in Fig. 3, it is apparent that parts of said ears 26 defining parts of the openings Zl are engaged against the bottom of the grooves H] in the pin and thus opposite sides of the groove portions act as opposed shoulders in connection with said ear portions and prevent any endwise movement of the pin. It is therefore apparent that the act of energizing the spring also serves to lock the pin in place.

With the parts in this position, the spring in its energized condition operates to hold the lid in its closed position against the open front of the box and to hold the roller iii tightly up against the cam face 6a of the lug 6. This prevents any play in the parts with attending rattling and subsequent wear.

When it is desired to open the lid for inspection of the interior parts of the journal box, the lip H is grasped and the lid swings upwardly about the pin 9 as an axis. In this movement of the lid, the roller l6 rolls upwardly over the cam surface 6a of the lug and during this time, the spring is further energized. As the roller passes over the corner at the top end of the surface Ba, onto the surface %b, which is inclined downwardly and inwardly, the energized spring will cause the lid to snap into its wide open position. In this position, the roller i6 is engaged on that part of the cam surface 612 which is spaced the shortest distance from the axis of the pin 9.

It is pointed out at this time that as the hood is still in its closed position with respect to the lid, the pin 9 is still locked against displacement. In the opening movement of the lid, the hood prevents the entrance of any dust, dirt or foreign particles, which may happen to be upon the top of the box, into the open front of the box.

To close the lid, a downward pressure is applied to the lip ll of the lid, when the roller 56 will ride upwardly and forwardly on the surface 61). So soon as it passes the front corner thereof, and onto the surface 5a, the lid will automatically close with a snap action against the open front of the box.

Should it be necessary to disassemble the lid structure for the replacement of any of the parts thereof, with the lid in its closed position,

the lever-like hood is swung upwardly into an open position with respect to the lid. The parts are then in the position shown in Fig. 2 wherein the ends 19 of the spring are disposed in the recesses 29. This deenergizes the spring so that the openings 2'! in the ears 26 may be moved into complete alignment with the pin. The pin may then be removed endwise out through one of the ears of the lid, when the hood may be removed with respect to the lid and the lid then removed from the box.

The structure described comprises but a few parts that may be easily assembled. When said parts are assembled and the hood is in its operative closed position on the lid, the spring coacts with the hood to hold the lid in closed position and the hood operates to hold the hinge pin for the lid against displacement.

While in describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the form and arrangement of the parts as well as to the manner in which they w are assembled, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid having a hinged connection with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid and a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member pivoted to the box for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid and having a relatively long power arm portion on one side of its pivot and a relatively short load arm portion on the other side of its pivot, said load arm portion engaging a third portion of the spring and operating when said member is swung toward the lid to energize the spring to hold said member against said lid and to hold the lid in its closed position against the open front of the journal box.

2. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid having a hinged connection with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid and a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member pivoted to the box for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid and having a relatively long power arm portion on one side of its pivot and a relatively short load arm portion with a cam surface on the other side of its pivot, said cam surface of said load arm portion engaging a third portion of the spring and operating when said member is swung toward the lid to energize the spring to hold said member against the lid and to hold the lid in its closed position against the open front of the journal box.

3. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid having a hinged connection with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid and a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member pivoted to the box for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid, and having a relatively long power arm portion on one side of its pivot and a relatively short load arm portion with a cam surface on the other side of said pivot, said cam surface of said load arm which includes a recess engaging a third portion of the spring and operating when said member is swung toward said lid to energize the spring to hold said member against the lid and to hold the lid in its closed position against the open front of the journal box at which time said third portion of the spring engages in the recess in said cam surface.

4. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged connection for the lid with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring operatively engaged with the lid and parts of the box respectively, for holding the lid in its opened or closed position with respect to said front of the box, and a member mounted for a pivotal movement with respect to the lid for energizing and deenergizing the spring and including a portion which when said member is in spring energizing position engages the pin to lock it against endwise movement and which portion when said member is in spring deenergizing position disengages the pin to unlock it for endwise movement.

5. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged connection for the lid with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring operatively engaged with the lid and parts of the box respectively for holding the lid in its opened or closed position with respect to the box, a member having a shiftable pivotal mounting on said pin for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid and operatively engaging a part of said spring so that when said member is swung toward said lid it energizes the spring and when swung away from the lid, it deenergizes said spring, said member including a part to engage a portion of the pin to lock it against endwise movement when said member has been swung about said mounting into spring energizing position, said part when said member has been swung about said mounting into spring deenergizing position operating to disengage said portion of the pin to permit endwise movement of the pin.

6. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged connection for the lid with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid and a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member having a shiftable pivotal mounting on said pin for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid and engaging a third portion of the spring for energizing and deenergizing the same, said member when swung toward the lid to energize the spring having parts so disposed'with respect to the pin as to prevent endwise movement thereof in either direction.

7. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged connection for the lid with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid and a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member pivoted to the box for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid and engaging a third portion of the spring for energizing and deenergizing the same, said member having a part which when said member is swung toward the lid to energize the spring moves into engagement with a part of the pin so as to prevent endwise movement thereof in either direction, said part when said member is swung away from said lid to deenergize the spring, moving out of engagement with said pin to permit its endwise movement for its removal.

8. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged con nection for the lid with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid and a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member having a shiftable pivotal mounting on said pin for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid and engaging a third portion of the spring for energizing and deenergizing the same, said member when swung about said mounting toward the lid to energize the spring having parts adjacent said mounting that so move with respect to the pin as to engage the same and prevent endwise movement of the pin in either direction.

9. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged connection for the lid with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid and a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member having a shiftable pivotal mounting on said pin for a swinging movement toward and away from the lid and engaging a third portion of the spring for energizing and deenergizing the same, said member when swung toward the lid to energize the spring having parts which only then engage parts of the pin to prevent endwise movement thereof in either direction.

10. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin having annular grooves therein providing a hinged connection for the lid with the box for opening and closing said front, a spring having a portion engaging the lid, a second portion engaging a part of the box, a lever-like member provided with spaced apertured ears having a shiftable pivotal mounting on said pin for a swinging movement toward and away from said lid and having cam portions engaging third and fourth portions of the spring for energizing and deenergizing the same, portions of said ears when said lever-like member is swung about said mounting toward the lid entering said,

grooves in said pin to prevent endwise movement of said pin.

11, In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged connection for the lid with respect to the box for a swinging movement for opening and closing the front thereof, said pin having an annular groove therein, a spring having a portion engaging the lid, a second portion engaging the box, a mem er hinged on said pin and engaging a third portion of the spring for energizing the same for holding the lid in its closed position, said spring also operating when energized to move said member into a position entering a part of the groove to lock the pin against endwise displacement in either direction.

12. In combination with a journal box open at the front, a lid, a pin providing a hinged connection for the lid with respect to the box for a swinging movement for opening and closing the front thereof, said pin having an annular groove therein near each end, a spring having a portion engaging the lid, a second portion engaging the box and a member having laterally spaced ears journalled on said pin in the planes of said groove and operative to engage laterally spaced end portions of the spring for energizing the same to hold the lid in its closed position, said spring also operating when energized to move said member into a position offcenter with respect to said pin so that said ears engage in said grooves and prevent endwise movement of the pin in either direction.

13. In combination with a journal box open at the front and provided with a top lug having front and top cam surfaces, a lid having end ears, a pin extending through said ears and lug and having annular grooves in planes between said lug and ears, a spring having a portion adapted for engagement with said cam surface of said lug and a second portion engaging the lid, a member having ears journalled on said pin at points between the ends of said lugs and said lid ears, said ears of said member engaging laterally spaced third and fourth portions of the spring for energizing the spring to hold the lid in its closed position, said spring at this time forcing the ears of said member into an oficenter position in said pin grooves so that they operate to prevent endwise displacement of the pin in either direction.

OTI-IO C. DURYEA. 

